Round Table Febraury Questions

Here is this month's round table questions

Over last 90 years, the City has promoted two kinds of water conservation plans: 1) forced conservation, like metered water (since 1920),storm drainage and sanitary sewer charges  (since 1993), and alternate day water restrictions (since 1988) during the summer, and 2) natural conservation, when residents are encouraged to purchase low flow shower heads, low flush toilets, tankless water heaters, rain barrels, etc. In the future, the City may also consider a third conservation alternative: providing rebates and subsidies to promote water conservation devices such as those listed under natural conservation or modified rates for certain water users (e.g., low income). Conservation has been even more successful than City officials originally contemplated, particularly since the mandatory "environmental charge" was introduced in 1993 - later becoming the storm and sanitary charge. Since 2001, average annual household water use has dropped by 27% in response to the rising rates. Engineering officials at the City are now concerned about low total revenues coming from the sewer and water rates charges.  How should the City of London deal with water conservation? Is water conservation worth it since ratepayer conservation has not led to reduced consumer water bills, in general. Indeed, annual increases to water and sewer rates between 7% and 9% have been typical in the last few years. What do we do about the dilemma of rising water and sewer rates in the face of sustained consumer conservation?   Each year there are a number of one day, environmental events. Earth Hour, for example, is a standalone event and focuses on a single hour in early spring. In the case of Earth Day, three weeks later, the City promotes a series of community events as part of London Clean & Green.  Which of the following one day, environmental events do you look forward to, if you do? What do you like or dislike about them? Is the environment properly promoted at these events, or should the City ignore these events? Are Londoners properly motivated to do something about the environment by recognizing and promoting these one day events, or do you think most people overlook these dates?   March 15, Bottled Water Free Day March 22, World Water Day March 31, Earth Hour May (any one day), IMatterMarch June 5, World Environment Day June 6, Clean Air Day (Canada) August 14, Blackout Day (Ontario) September 12, International Plastic Bag Free Day September 22, World Car Free Day First Wednesday in October, International Walk to School Day

Answers

1.     Water conservation is a very important issue, and is recently been getting a lot more attention with the revival of the Thames Rivrer.  Although water conservation is not directly linked to reduced consumer water bills.  The sewer and water rates are increasing.   Water rates are connected to water consumption and use, where as storm water sewage rates are connected to the snow melt and rain drainage from the streets.  So why should citizens have to pay for that?  This water is returned back to the river and the charges help to fund the storm sewer pipe system, all other municipal drainage systems, facilities for storm water management systems, erosion control programs related to the drainage and river systems in the City, upkeep and repairs to the Springbank Dam.  If a person has a sewer connected to their property, they must pay the sewer charge, now citizens without a drain have to pay unless in a rural home.  

So how do we deal with this dilemma, the prices are raising but how do we keep citizens interested.  Why not tell the citizens how their contribution is improving drainage efforts with pamphlets, thank them for their contributions.  How about showing them how they are helping to improve water quality in the Thames which is important to the health of the watershed, fish and ecosystem of the Forest City.   Explain that the Thames water health even though we don’t get our drinking water from it is still connected to our drinking water and it is important to ensure good storm drainage to keep it healthy.  Public education and outreach is important if people understand what they are paying for and what it contributes to they will be less likely to complain about the charges and be happy that they are making the difference by small charges that they are already paying. 

2.     Environmental Events in London, the truth is I had no idea there were so many.  I would like to get involved, I just read that there is a Thames River Clean up on Earth Day by the Friends of the Thames and I would like to be a part of it this year.  I usually do the Earth Hour with my family will do an hour of candle light play a board game, the sad thing is we should do it more often.   

I think that London should promote these events more to try to get Londoners involved, using local news papers (London Free Press, London Metro, London Community News), posters, flyers, social media are all great tools that should be used to get these events more aware.   I just found two environmental groups on facebook that I saw mentioned in today’s paper Thames Region Ecological Association and Friends of the Thames.  But just previously I was complaining that I didn’t think London had any water awareness groups turns out I didn’t know where to look.  How can we make these groups and events more accessible to the public?   Perhaps a directory and schedule of events.